Scientific Collector's Permit Instructions

(Last Updated - 5/20/2022)

The purpose of collection licenses are to allow various entities or individuals to kill, take or possess wildlife (see definition of “wildlife”) for legitimate scientific purposes. These licenses are intended to allow academia, students, researchers, agency staff, other state and federal entities (e.g. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, North Dakota Department of Health, etc.) and members of the public to kill, take or possess wildlife and their parts (e.g. eggs, feathers,) for legitimate scientific purposes (e.g., research, monitoring programs, training, or education by a licensed institution). An additional federal permit is required if federally protected wildlife are to be killed, marked or possessed for this purpose. Staff from the Game and Fish Department are not required to have a state collection license to kill, take or possess wildlife while conducting research or management activities as part of their job.

Application

1. The applicant must create an online customer account with the Department.
2. The applicant must submit a formal request to the Department through their online account that describes the need for a scientific collector’s license.
3. Within the Project Description text box, the following details must be included:
   1. Project title,
   2. Geographic area of work,
   3. Dates of collection activities,
   4. Species and number of each to be collected/handled,
4. Select the species categories that apply.
5. Within the Collection Narrative text box, the following details must be included:
   1. Collection methods used (e.g., nest dragging, non-lethal trapping, lethal take).
   2. Final disposition and destination of collections (i.e., whether specimens will be killed, taken or possessed and final disposition of specimens, including their final destination and route of transportation)
   3. Names of any subpermittees working under the permit
6. The applicant must upload the following documents:
   1. Study Plan which includes
      1. project’s objectives
      2. management implications of the research
      3. name of the entity/individual conducting and/or sponsoring the project
      4. duration of project
      5. geographic area in which collection will occur (maps included),
      6. techniques to be used in collecting wildlife
      7. whether the specimens will be killed, taken or possessed and final disposition of specimens, including their final destination and route of transport.
   2. Federal Permits (e.g., USFWS migratory bird permits, USGS Master Banding permits; if applicable)
   3. Animal Use and Care Committee (if applicable)
   4. FAA Drone Operators Certification (if applicable)

Conditions

1. All licenses require an annual report be submitted to the Department by December 31 of that calendar year. The report must at a minimum describe the species of animals taken, the number taken and their specific locations including latitude and longitude or legal description and disposition of specimens.
2. A copy of migratory bird nest dragging data must be submitted to USGS-Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center by 1 October each year.
3. Marking data that includes auxiliary markers for migratory game birds must be submitted to the USGS Bird Banding Laboratory by 20 September each year, or immediately following completion of fieldwork if after that date.
4. Banding migratory game birds will only occur under the Department’s Master Banding permit, with the exception of auxiliary marking, and banding conducted by federally entrusted co-managing partners.
5. The licensee shall carry or display, upon request, a copy of this license when exercising its authority
6. Wildlife collected under this license shall not be transported from the capture site without permission from the Department. Permission must be indicated on license.

Guidelines:

1. Licenses will not be issued to individuals who have not complied with license conditions.
2. The Department reserves the right to not issue a license for any purpose.
3. The license may be revoked immediately if conditions are not followed, or other extenuating circumstances arise (e.g., a wildlife disease issue).
4. The licensee is responsible for obtaining permission from landowners to conduct activities on private or public land. Additional permits may be required to conduct activities on state, federal or tribal land.

Definition of Wildlife:

“Wildlife” means any member of the animal kingdom including any mammal, fish, bird (including any migratory, nonmigratory, or endangered bird for which protection is also afforded by treaty or other international agreement), amphibian, reptile, mollusk, crustacean, or other invertebrate, and includes any part, product, egg, or offspring thereof, or the dead body parts thereof. Wildlife does not include domestic animals as defined by section 3-01-00.1 or animals held in private ownership.